Autumn and the Black Jaguar
Growing up in the Amazon rainforest gave Autumn the rarest of friendships – a lost jaguar cub she named Hope. When a tragic event forces her to leave Hope for New York City, she dreams of going back to the rainforest and her friend. That opportunity soon comes when Autumn decides to return to the Amazon to save her beloved jaguar from animal traffickers who threaten her childhood village.
The film earned $21.7M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Autumn and the Black Jaguar (2024) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Gilles de Maistre's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Autumn
Uyá
Hope (Black Jaguar)
Alãna
Main Cast & Characters
Autumn
Played by Emily Bett Rickards
A young girl who forms a deep bond with an orphaned jaguar cub and fights to protect the Amazon rainforest.
Uyá
Played by Lumi Pollack
Autumn's father, a conservationist working to protect the Amazon and its wildlife.
Hope (Black Jaguar)
Played by Animal Performer
An orphaned black jaguar cub who becomes Autumn's closest companion and symbol of the wild.
Alãna
Played by Wayne Charles Baker
Indigenous guide and mentor who teaches Autumn about the rainforest and its sacred connection to nature.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Autumn lives harmoniously in the Amazon rainforest, showcasing her deep connection with nature and her bond with Hope, the black jaguar she has known since cubhood. This idyllic world establishes her unique relationship with the wild.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Autumn discovers the threat to Hope and the rainforest—poachers arrive in the area, or evidence of habitat destruction appears. The perfect world is shattered by the intrusion of external danger.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Autumn makes the active decision to embark on a mission to save Hope. She commits to protecting the jaguar, crossing from her comfortable existence into a dangerous quest. This is her choice to become a protector., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat A false victory: Autumn believes she has found a safe haven for Hope, or successfully evaded the primary threat. The stakes raise as she gains confidence, but the underlying danger intensifies. The fun and games period ends., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The lowest point: Hope is captured, gravely endangered, or separated from Autumn. The whiff of death—either the jaguar appears lost, or Autumn's dream of saving her companion seems impossible. All appears lost., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Autumn gains new insight or information that allows her to see the solution clearly. She synthesizes her knowledge of the rainforest, her bond with Hope, and the lessons learned. Armed with this clarity, she enters the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Autumn and the Black Jaguar's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Autumn and the Black Jaguar against these established plot points, we can identify how Gilles de Maistre utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Autumn and the Black Jaguar within the adventure genre.
Gilles de Maistre's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Gilles de Maistre films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Autumn and the Black Jaguar represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gilles de Maistre filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Gilles de Maistre analyses, see Mia and the White Lion, The Wolf and the Lion.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Autumn lives harmoniously in the Amazon rainforest, showcasing her deep connection with nature and her bond with Hope, the black jaguar she has known since cubhood. This idyllic world establishes her unique relationship with the wild.
Theme
A character speaks about the balance between humans and nature, or the responsibility to protect what we love. This establishes the film's central theme about conservation and the bond between species.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Autumn's life in the Amazon, her daily routines with Hope, the beauty of the rainforest ecosystem, and introduction of supporting characters. The section builds the paradise that will soon be threatened.
Disruption
Autumn discovers the threat to Hope and the rainforest—poachers arrive in the area, or evidence of habitat destruction appears. The perfect world is shattered by the intrusion of external danger.
Resistance
Autumn resists the idea of leaving or taking drastic action. She debates what to do, seeks advice, and grapples with the magnitude of the threat. This period shows her processing the danger and preparing mentally for the journey ahead.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Autumn makes the active decision to embark on a mission to save Hope. She commits to protecting the jaguar, crossing from her comfortable existence into a dangerous quest. This is her choice to become a protector.
Mirror World
Introduction or deepening of a relationship with a mentor, ally, or the jaguar Hope herself as a thematic mirror. This relationship embodies the theme of trust and interspecies connection that will guide Autumn's transformation.
Premise
The adventure unfolds as Autumn actively works to protect Hope. We see the promise of the premise—the girl and jaguar navigating the rainforest together, evading threats, showcasing their unique bond. This is the heart of what audiences came to see.
Midpoint
A false victory: Autumn believes she has found a safe haven for Hope, or successfully evaded the primary threat. The stakes raise as she gains confidence, but the underlying danger intensifies. The fun and games period ends.
Opposition
The threats close in—poachers track them, environmental dangers increase, or Hope's wild nature creates conflict. Autumn's limitations become apparent. The antagonistic forces gain ground and pressure intensifies from all sides.
Collapse
The lowest point: Hope is captured, gravely endangered, or separated from Autumn. The whiff of death—either the jaguar appears lost, or Autumn's dream of saving her companion seems impossible. All appears lost.
Crisis
Autumn processes her despair and failure. In this dark night, she confronts what Hope truly means to her and what she's willing to sacrifice. The emotional weight of potential loss settles before the final push.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Autumn gains new insight or information that allows her to see the solution clearly. She synthesizes her knowledge of the rainforest, her bond with Hope, and the lessons learned. Armed with this clarity, she enters the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The finale: Autumn executes her plan to save Hope and confront the threat. The climactic sequence where she uses everything she's learned to protect the jaguar and ensure its freedom, resolving the central conflict.
Transformation
The closing image mirrors the opening but shows transformation: Autumn watches Hope run free in the wild, now understanding that true love means letting go. She has grown from a girl who needed the jaguar to one who could set it free.